Boxing Class at State College Gym Focused on Knocking Out Parkinson's Disease

Nearly 1 million Americans are affected by Parkinson's disease, and there's no cure. But a State College fitness center is offering a program to counterpunch the neurological disorder.

Victory Sports Performance and Fitness started last year providing classes for non-contact boxing, a training program geared toward people with Parkinson's disease. Scott Everhart, the program's director and trainer, developed the class to help local individuals living with Parkinson's improve their quality of life.

"I hope we're able to reach more people and get word out around town and even to the outlying communities about what we can do for them and how we can help them with their problem," he said.

Boxers condition for speed, hand-eye coordination, balance, footwork and overall strength to overcome opponents. For participants in the Victory class, the opponent is Parkinson's disease.

Non-contact boxing has the potential to reduce, reverse or delay symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Each exercise works on a symptom: stretching for stiffness, footwork for balance, and punching for coordination and to steady tremors.

"Our whole program has skyrocketed," said trainer Ryan Thompson. "We have individuals who have Parkinson's and to see where they began and where they are now, it's like day and night."

Centre County Report's Alyssa Cichy has more.

This video is produced by and for Centre County Report and shared through a partnership with StateCollege.com.

The Centre County Report is produced by students and faculty from Penn State's College of Communications. It is designed to serve a dual purpose. It is a source of news and information to the residents of Centre County.
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